Hot tubs: Getting into hot water - the right way

Mike Holmes

Photograph by: Courtesy
, The Holmes Group

Summer's inching its way closer, folks. And this last weekend, I kept hearing one thing over and over again: I want a hot tub. Seems like everybody wants one this season.

Most people like hot tubs. Some people love them - and what's not to love? What better place to relax after a hard day's work? As a contractor, there've been days when I could really use one. But when it comes to installing a hot tub, it's too easy to end up in hot water.

Most of us get caught up in all the fun hot tubs bring - the drinks, the friends, the good times. We forget about the work that needs to go into properly installing and maintaining one.

Whether you're buying a new hot tub, a used one, or even if someone gives you one, you're going to spend money. People forget about installation costs. And how much that will be depends on how much you plan ahead.

Before getting one, you need to ask yourself if there's enough space to safely install and support a hot tub on your property. Is the space accessible? What's going to support the tub? Do you need to build a deck? Do you need to reinforce your deck? Will you need permits? Do you need to bring in an electrician? A plumber? An engineer or architect?

I've heard some homeowners say they want an indoor hot tub. I don't recommend this. Why not? Think about it. What's your home's No. 1 enemy? Water. Not only do hot tubs have water, they have hot water. That means a lot of vapour and moisture. It's too easy for this moisture to get into the structure of your home. It's an open invitation for mould.

That's why you want to keep them outdoors. Installing a hot tub outside is also cheaper. But that doesn't mean you're not going to spend money. You'll need to bring in skilled tradespeople to build the proper concrete foundation, build stable footings and do some electrical work.

For example, you'll need a licensed electrician to install and wire a dedicated GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) - and it must be dedicated. How far it needs to be from the tub depends on the province you live in. In most cases it's a minimum of 1.5 metres. But you need to double-check the provincial codes.

An electrician might also need to trench a PVC conduit from the junction box and install a dedicated 30-50 AMP main breaker box - if there isn't one already. A real pro will also make sure the shut-off or means to disconnect is outside and close to the tub. Why? So it's accessible in case you need someone to check it out when no one's home.

Hot tubs are also heavy. Add water and people and you've got a major load - about 5,000 pounds. Homeowners need to make sure the right structures are in place to properly support this weight. Do you need to build a deck? If you have a deck, is it strong enough? How strong does it have to be? The best way to figure this out is by bringing in the pros.

Professionals such as a structural engineer or architect can tell you the load capacity per square foot of a supporting structure, like a deck. They can also make the appropriate designs for reinforcing these structures so they can handle this kind of load.

Professionals are an absolute must when you're installing a hot tub on a pre-existing deck. Why? Because without the right structural upgrades, the chance of a deck collapsing under the weight of a hot tub is 99.99 per cent. People can get seriously hurt or worse.

If you're installing a hot tub on a pre-existing deck without professional help, you're asking for trouble. Don't become a headline.

Nine times out of 10, you're going to have to make structural changes. In most cases, you're also going to need proper permits. And again, this changes depending on the province and municipality in which you live.

For example, in Ontario, hot tubs fall under the Ònew structure, addition or renovationÓ category. That means permits need to be applied for and approved by a city's municipality before any work can start. If codes aren't followed, a homeowner risks being forced to remove the hot tub, making the entire project a waste of time and money.

Getting a hot tub is fun but it's a big project. Buying the tub is only the first step Ð and it's usually the easiest. Installation is whole other ballgame. You need to know what you're getting into before jumping in. That's why for most homeowners, hiring a contractor experienced in hot tub installations is the smartest choice.

The right contractor will bring in the right professionals. They'll make sure everything from the footings to the electrical work is done right the first time. So all you have to do is sit back and relax. As far as I'm concerned, that's money well spent.

Catch Mike in his new series, Best of Holmes on Homes, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on HGTV. For more information, visit hgtv.ca. For more information on home renovations, visit makeitright.ca.

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